DAR to turn over solar-powered irrigation facilities to 5 CamSur farmer co-ops

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will soon turn over solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) to five farmer cooperatives based in Camarines Sur in a bid to improve farm productivity.

On Friday, the agency said its Bicol regional office has completed the final inspection of the solar-powered irrigation facilities.

“The installation of the SPIS will promote the development and adoption of modern, appropriate, cost-effective, and environmentally safe agricultural machinery…that can enhance farm productivity and efficiency,” the DAR said.

Once installed, the new facilities will help lessen greenhouse gas emissions, according to DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Maria Gracia Sales.

Five farmers’ cooperatives – Hibago Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Bagong Sirang Farmers Cooperative, Vegetable Growers Association of ARBs Libod-Tinawagan, Siembre Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization and Pag-iribang Paraoma asin Parasira sa Haponan Gogon asin Daraga–are expected to benefit from the new facilities.

DAR said each SPIS unit consists of 12 solar panels, and two units of polyethylene tanks with a capacity of two cubic meters each. Each unit costs P861,488.

The turnover of the facilities is part of the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program which seeks to enhance agriculture productivity among the agency’s agrarian reform beneficiaries.

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